January 2016 Chemo!

I found this on FaceBook and thought of all my beautiful bald ladies here:

i just need to vent. These mouth sores make me ANGRY! They're just constant little jabs in my mouth. Ugh.

Valstim52 I'm with you. I'm done with my AC and start Taxol on Tuesday. I'm a little nervous (not really about the steroids) about the different side effects that I may have. The red devil wasn't fun but I knew my enemy (or how I reacted to the enemy). I'm hoping to be like Geeper and breeze through the Taxol. I'm halfway done with chemo though---Hooray!!

Songbird72 sounds like we are on the same schedule. Yes I hope I'm like Geeper too. I had a bad spot with AC my first dose landed me in the hospital, but then I knew what to expect. Taxol, and mine is dose dense, I'm nervous. I'll keep you posted, as I hope you keep me posted.

Val

I amwith you guys I start Taxol next Thursday and have both concerns about the steroids and anxiety of all the new SE....AC was tough on me, but like stated we knew what to expect. I too hope to be like Geeper ☺️🙏🏽! .... Glad we are done with AC!

Good Morning Ladies!

Did someone say they had a bad mouth sore?? I had one last week and crushed up some baby asprin, placed it on my sore and the pain went away, I did it twice more and the sore dissappeared.

TAXOL UPDATE

It's day two after Taxol #1. So far the only two side effects are super dry mouth and throat. My nail beds are also hurt and sore. I'm taking l glutamine for my nerves and seriously considering getting the ice cold gloves. No nausea or vomiting , I've been looking for rashes on my body too....

I've been taking one Claritin a day as well to keep away any reactions.

Now as for the infusion day, I went in at 12pm, completed blood work, saw my nurse practitioner . Got my pre meds at 12:40 and Taxol at 1:15 is until 4:45. I was given benadryl and Decadron via my port. I got super tired really quick and zoned out fell asleep until it was time for Taxol. I still can't stand the smell of rubbing alcohol used to clean my skin before accessing my port. Bleh.

I believe I slept during Taxol a bit too. I drank tons of water, urinated like three times. It really is great that Taxol is administered slowly, I wish AC was given to me like that.

With every AC infusion my headaches were insane and I was told by the nurse that it's because of the speed at which they are given.

Ladies just so you know the speed at which the chemo is given can contribute to the intesity of your immediate SE's. If you think chemo is given to you too fast it can be adjusted. Particularly during AC, the red devil portion not so much since it's pushed.

After Taxol, I went home ate some veggie soup and slept. Nail beds started hurting and dry mouth throat began yesterday. I have two extra Neulasta doses in my fridge just in case my WBC drops.

I believe going to work tomorrow is very doable, I'm going to get in bed early tonight, if I don't feel like myself I'll call out.

Im wishing everyone success with there Taxol this week! I will update!

hugs and kisses

Jinx27

Jinx thanks for update. Helps a lot. I ordered the gloves. Gave in. wont' have for tomorrow but will have for the rest of the time.

LIfeAloft:

I use almond oil on my nails, head and feet. It's worked wonders. I had dry itchy patches on my head and the oil got rid of them.

Jinx, you must be dose dense, every three weeks? I will be doing weekly, and they said it would be a shorter infusion time than the AC.

Hello everyone!

This is my first post here, but I've been following this discussion forum since I started chemo (AC+THP) on New Year's eve. Having chemo first before surgery because I have multiple tumors and positive lymph nodes under arm and in chest muscle, so docs thought it was too extensive to operate without shrinking it first.

I'm on same schedule as many of you and just had my first Taxol/Herceptin/Perjeta on Thursday. Was nervous because of the chance of strong reaction and not knowing what the side effects will be. At least with the AC I knew what to expect after the first time. Can't say I was sorry to see the last of that red stuff though.

So this is how it went: after blood work and seeing nurse/oncologist, had 3 pre-meds: Benadryl, high-dose steroids and pepcid. For the taxol because of the risk of allergic reaction they pumped in some small test doses first to see if I had a reaction. Thankfully everything went fine. They said if you get a reaction, it's usually within the first few minutes, and if not, you'll most likely be fine for all the following treatments.

NP said eyebrows and lashes will fall out (they've thinned but still hanging in there after the AC), and might need neupogen injections to do at home if white blood count gets too low. Otherwise the main SE is neuropathy, they said it probably wouldn't show until the 8th or 9th treatment if it happens. First they told me I had to have an "ice bath" for hands and feet during the Taxol to prevent it, then later they said it was up to me if I wanted to do it. Certainly wasn't pleasant having hands and feet in pan full of ice for a whole hour, but unlike mouth sores neuropathy can be permanent, so it was a no-brainer. My advice, if they don't offer it, ask them for some ice.

Afterward, first two days felt great (steroids!), the only SE was being very thirsty. Unlike AC, no nausea/digestive issues. Today is day 3 post Taxol, the steroids have worn off and I am sooo tired! Hoping it won't be this way every day until the next one. Every week is pretty heavy going.

Hi Maya15,

Sorry that you have to be here but great to see you post. I had Taxotere not Taxol. I used frozen mitts on my hands for each infusion. My centre provided the mitts. No issues at all with my fingers.

I iced my toes for only 2 of my 4 infusions and I do have some neuropathy in my toes.

My breast nurse also advised wearing a dark nail polish to help protect the nail bed.

Hope your fatigue doesn't hang around too long. Donna.

Valstim52 I do get nosebleeds, but a few days AFTER the infusion of Taxol. It's mostly just pink tissues when I wipe my nose, but I seem to get one pretty significant nosebleed a week. The infusion nurse says it's because we are susceptible to bleeding and bruising due to decreased RBC. Luckily my blood counts have been steady, but I do see my RBC numbers slowly decreasing.

Happy Monday Ladies! Looks like we are all at the halfway mark....Yay! Hoping for minimal SE's for those of you just starting Taxol or taxotere. I have completed three rounds and have done pretty well! I pray it continues along that path.

Welcome Maya! Looking forward to getting to know you.

Love the Disney princesses!

Jill, love the nails. I always paint mine black before each infusion.

Miss Bee, congrats on the move! I love CO. I hear ya bout the weight gain. It's becoming the hardest part for me too. I've always maintained a fairly good weight...up and down no more than 10 lbs but putting on 10 new lbs since starting chemo and watching it creep up past any previous weightis a little scary. My MO said it will all come off and suggested if it's coming on too quickly that he'd offer a diuretic. I'm not thrilled about taking more drugs at this point but the belly bloat is uncomfortable. The good news is it will all come off at some point down the road. Until then, it's sweatpants and Big T-shirts!

Thank for the updates everyone! I'm gearing up for tomorrow and my first Taxol. Taking my steroids today, getting my blood work today, and painting my nails.

You guys inspired me to get out and about yesterday. I went to church (which I had been going every other week) but then I went to our small group last night. It was such a boost mentally! I have been so worried about catching something but my WBC's have been normal (even high) so I thought I would do something I enjoy!

As for hair, I have stubble on my head, stubble on my legs, no underarm hair, some hair on my lady parts, hair on my arms, a few eyelashes left and all of my eyebrows. It's crazy!

Miss Bee, congrats on the move. I just love Colorado. I hope you like your new doctor! Having a team you like/love is so important!

Good luck to everyone doing treatment this week. I hope all goes well!

For those talking about headaches with the AC, I had those with the C. They slowed my infusion down and it helped tremendously!